Following close losses to SUNY Cortland and Utica College on Sept. 17 and 21, Geneseo field hockey head coach Jessica Seren said that she thought it was time to make some changes to the team’s philosophy.
Those modifications seem to have transformed the Knights into an offensive machine, outscoring their opponents 8-0 over two games this week.
“We made an adjustment in our formation based on our previous games, and it seems to have worked,” Seren said.
The Knights hosted Morrisville State College on Sept. 23 and came out with a 5-0 victory. Geneseo scored early and often. Less than a minute into the game, senior midfielder Abby Sayler scored off a pass from sophomore forward Katie Farley and less than two minutes later, sophomore forward Kerry Hosford scored an unassisted goal.
“Our adjustments] let us expand our opponent’s defense and give our offense more room to work," Seren said.
Farley had a hand in four of the five goals scored against the Mustangs, with two goals and two assists. Both goals came in the second half to cap the scoring.
“She’s really stepped up,” Seren said of Farley. “She didn’t start at the beginning of the year and that motivated her to earn the role, and she has been really producing for us.”
In previous games, the offense scored consistently; however, the defense failed to hold leads. Against the Mustangs, Seren made a few changes that resulted in zero shots on goal. Juniors Caitlyn Dowell and Nicole Zito teamed up in goal to provide the shutout.
On Sept. 25 Geneseo traveled to Hartwick College to take on the Hawks. Again, the offense and defense remained balanced as the Knights grinded out a 3-0 victory.
“We got off to a slow start,” Seren said. “It took us the first 25 minutes to get things to come together for us. Once we got the first goal, we never really looked back and kept the pressure on.”
The first goal came off the stick of junior defender Rachel Atkins, assisted by classmate Katie Gallo. Sophomore forward Kayla DeAngelis scored an unassisted goal early in the second half and later assisted on a goal by junior Kelsey Horan that concluded the scoring.
DeAngelis was recognized as Geneseo’s Female Athlete of the Week for her efforts against Morrisville and Hartwick. She scored two goals and had two assists over the two games, and is the team’s leading scorer.
“Her one versus one stick work and speed is incredible,” Seren said. “She still puts up points for us every game even though she is the focus of our opponent’s defense.”
Geneseo travels to SUNY Brockport and St. Lawrence University on Sept. 30 and Oct. 4, respectively.